Systems and methods for recovering an unfractionated hydrocarbon liquid mixture

Abstract

A fluid recovery system includes a separator configured to separate a hydrocarbon stream into L-Grade, water, and natural gas. The system further includes a storage vessel in communication with the separator and configured to store the L-Grade separated from the hydrocarbon stream. The system further includes a compressor in communication with the separator and configured to pressurize the natural gas.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of recovering a fluid, comprising:
 transporting a recovery system to a wellsite; 
 connecting the recovery system to a wellhead at the wellsite; 
 recovering a hydrocarbon stream from a hydrocarbon bearing reservoir via the wellhead, wherein the hydrocarbon stream has not been previously injected into the hydrocarbon bearing reservoir; 
 separating natural gas from the hydrocarbon stream at the wellsite; and 
 separating an unfractionated hydrocarbon liquid mixture from the hydrocarbon stream at the wellsite, wherein the unfractionated hydrocarbon liquid mixture is a by-product of the hydrocarbon stream from which the natural gas has been separated and comprises ethane, propane, butane, isobutane, pentane plus, and condensate, and wherein the hydrocarbon stream further comprises of at least one of condensate, water, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising storing the unfractionated hydrocarbon liquid mixture in a storage vessel of the recovery system. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising separating water from the hydrocarbon stream at the wellsite. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising pressurizing the natural gas at the wellsite. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising injecting the unfractionated hydrocarbon liquid mixture into the same or a different hydrocarbon bearing reservoir. 
     
     
       6. A method of recovering a fluid, comprising:
 receiving a hydrocarbon stream from one or more hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs at a wellsite, wherein the hydrocarbon stream has not been previously injected into the hydrocarbon bearing reservoir; 
 separating natural gas from the hydrocarbon stream at the wellsite; 
 separating an unfractionated hydrocarbon liquid mixture from the hydrocarbon stream at the wellsite, wherein the unfractionated hydrocarbon liquid mixture comprises ethane, propane, butane, isobutane, pentane plus, and condensate, and wherein the hydrocarbon stream comprises of at least one of condensate, water, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide; and 
 storing the unfractionated hydrocarbon liquid mixture at the wellsite. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising storing the unfractionated hydrocarbon liquid mixture in a pressurized storage vessel. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising separating water from the hydrocarbon stream at the wellsite. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising pressurizing the natural gas at the wellsite. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising cooling the pressurized natural gas using an aftercooler. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising cooling a portion of the hydrocarbon stream using the pressurized natural gas. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising injecting the unfractionated hydrocarbon liquid mixture into the same or a different hydrocarbon bearing reservoir. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising transporting a separator on a portable skid-frame to the wellsite to separate the unfractionated hydrocarbon liquid mixture from the hydrocarbon stream.